If all of the reports prove true and Jimmy Fallon takes over Jay Leno's 11:35 p.m. "Tonight Show," it will open up a hosting spot on Fallon's 12:35 p.m. "Late Night."
The New York Post is reporting a clear front-runner for the job, but there are nine other hosts and comedians who may also be in the mix and could do an equally great job.
But what does it take to be NBC's "Late Night" host?
- Lorne Michaels' approval. The "Saturday Night Live" executive producer is also the executive producer of "Late Night." His blessing means everything to NBC brass, giving "SNL" alum a leg up on getting the gig. Not that their improv experience hurts.
- A young, hip host. "Since its inception in 1982, 'Late Night' has consistently been the youngest and hippest franchise in network talk," writes Splitsider. "The show's three hosts — David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, and Jimmy Fallon — while wildly different from one another, have all shared an experimental edge to their shows that other talk franchises don't have."
- A recognizable host. "When Conan O'Brien got the gig nearly 20 years ago, he was a 'Simpsons' and 'SNL' writer with no on-camera experience," adds Splitsider. "Jimmy Fallon was a well-known TV personality when he was crowned the host of 'Late Night' in 2009, meaning that the network will probably seek out somebody closer to his level of fame and recognizability this time around too."
These 10 people have the ultimate combination of skills to be the next "Late Night" host.
10. We'd suggest Howard Stern, but he's already called the idea "insulting."
When Howard Stern's name was brought up earlier this month as a possible replacement for Jimmy Fallon, the radio host called the idea "an insult."
While Stern acts as a judge on NBC's "America's Got Talent," he said he will NOT be hosting "Late Night" on the network.
"First of all, what an insult, like, all the years of my career. I'm like, the biggest guy in radio, I've done film, I've done television," Stern exclaimed on "The Howard Stern Show." "I mean, they act like I'm some kind of f------ beginner or something. Maybe if I'm really nice to NBC they'll let me take over Carson Daly's show at like 2 o'clock in the morning."
Stern then kindly pointed out that Fallon likely makes "about a tenth" of his own salary and sarcastically joked that he has also been hired to anchor "NBC Nightly News," as well as guest star on "Community,""Parks & Recreation" and "Whitney."
9. Andy Cohen is already an executive and on-air host.
Not only is Andy Cohen the host of Bravo's live, late-night talk show"Watch What Happens Live,"he is also the Executive Vice President of Development and Talent at the Bravo cable television network, a subsidiary of NBC Universal — the same network on which "Late Night" airs.
He is also the author of a memoir titled "Most Talkative: Stories from the Front Lines of Pop Culture" and is the first openly gay host of a late night talk show, which could make things interesting.
Not to mention, Cohen is close personal friends with Jimmy Fallon, which could make the transition very smooth.
8. Carson Daly's show currently follows Fallon's, but he won't get the gig.
Despite the fact that Carson Daly's "Last Call with Carson Daly" airs directly after Jimmy Fallon's "Late Night," no one is talking about the former MTV "TRL" host taking over Fallon's gig.
For one, he's not a comedian. At all. And secondly, the 39-year-old's show format is more music-based and rogue, often taping shows on the road.
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